Staff at a security firm are putting their best feet forward for Good Hope Hospital Charity, by walking a marathon 26 miles to raise funds for the charity. 

Rob Allsopp, director of home security company Protect and Serve will lead the team of seven men and women on the walkathon around Lichfield, Sutton Coldfield and Mere Green later this month.

The Sutton-based company, which provides monitored home alarm systems and CCTV, regularly organise charity fundraising expeditions led by Rob but for many of the staff and friends taking part this will be a first.

The walkers aim to raise up to £2,000 for the Oncology Ward at Sutton’s Good Hope Hospital which will help to provide ‘added extras’, equipment and facilities for patients and staff on the unit.

Rob, from Harvest Fields said: “The staff at the hospital do an amazing job and we all want to give our thanks to them particularly this year when the coronavirus has meant a lot of focus and resources has been elsewhere.”

Rob is no stranger to marathon fundraising efforts having previously completed a range of challenges including a mountain peaks’ challenge and a 24-hour endurance walk which saw a team of 15 covering 52 miles and raising more than £12,000 for Cancer Research.

Rob’s colleague Lee Mack, an engineer at the Boldmere-based firm, has been on many training walks in preparation for joining this latest endeavour on 18 September.

He said: “We all want to do our bit to support Rob and raise money for a great cause. Thankfully, the weather over the past few weeks has helped us with lots of training. We are all now ready and raring to go.”

Elle Huguet, fundraising officer at Good Hope Hospital Charity, said: “On behalf of the staff and patients on the Oncology Unit at Good Hope Hospital I would like to wish Rob and the team the best of luck for the challenge.

“We are so grateful for the team’s support, and the funds that they raise will help us to provide the best care possible for our patients.

"Thanks to donations to the charity, we have been able to fund a wide range of support for the unit over the years, including renovating the day unit, providing activities for patients, and funding comfortable chemotherapy chairs. With further donations, we will be able to do even more to support our patients.”